Mark Ortega took Grand Prize at the Fillmore Flower Show.

The revived Fillmore Flower Show, 2009, sponsored by Vision2020/Civic Pride Committee is past and now remains a memory of sweet fragrances, beautiful flower specimens, bouquets and arrangements in all their glory for those who attended and/or managed to meet the entry deadline from 7:30-10:30 AM on Saturday morning.

There were 267 entries! Conway Spitler, many time, former show chairman, expressed his opinion that it was a “good turnout” after an 11 year break between shows. Past shows had over 400+ entries.

Violin and mandolin music on Saturday by Asher Smith and a short, spontaneous concert on Sunday by an unknown pianist, provided lovely ambience. But it was the “buzz” of enthusiastic and appreciative conversations filling the Senior Center as friends met up with friends they hadn’t seen in a while and hearing parents explaining to their interested children the meaning of flower terms, like “fragrance”, that delighted this committee member!
Bringing back this flower show was definitely a group effort by Civic Pride Committee members, with even recently retired Civic Pride Committee chairwoman, Judy Dressler and husband, Ray, helping with bottle collection, poster creation and recruiting past show experts such as Joanne King, to get involved. Bill Dewey and Cindy Klittich collected bottles, secured judges and involved the Boy Scouts in bottle washing which was a huge, time consuming task and they also helped with cleanup. Thank you! Sarah Hansen’s efforts secured a microphone for the award ceremony and Conway and Linda kept the publicity articles flowing to “The Sespe Sun”, “Fillmore Gazette”, “Star Free Press” and other local calendar publications. (Civic Pride Committee appreciates the coverage given to promote their various community projects!)

And, we value the support of Fillmore city staff like Joe Zuniga, Bill Bartels, Evelia Hernandez, Annette Cardona and Patrick Maynard for helping us secure banners for Central Avenue, the Senior Center location and the brochure layout.

Others to be recognized and given “thanks” were: Otto & Sons for donated rose bushes, providing a welcoming entry and door prizes, Bennett’s Honey Farm with door prize honey, Nancy & Doug Cope with crystal prizes, Carolyn Lasky with cymbidium orchids, Cindy Klittich with Hospice Home Tour tickets, Linda Nunes with door prize donations , King & King Ranches with fruit baskets, Wilma Allen with a cash donation and Santa Clara Valley Bank with a cash donation. Many others joined in at various times to volunteer their time with set up and entry receiving and as judges’ aids. You can see the show took MANY hands to become a reality!

It is hoped that all who expressed an interest in entering next year and getting their children or youth groups involved, will begin to plan and prepare their yards now with a little extra care to be ready for 2010.

And please, remember that you are all invited to participate in bringing the flower show and other worthy community projects like historical plaques, school essay promotions, Yard of the Month awards and flower plantings in the downtown area to fruition. Come add your voice and effort to improve quality of life and esthetic appeal to our community. Civic Pride Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 PM in City Hall.